Blues Development Player of the Year earns debut as Cotter manages injuries

The Blues’ last team announcement of the round-robin comes with mixed news on the injury front, and a potential debut for the club’s Development Player of the Year.

Usual starters Beauden Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu and Bradley Slater have been ruled out of the visit to Hamilton through injury, but Josh Beehre, Joshua Fusitu’a, Corey Evans and Codemeru Vai have all made their way back into the matchday 23. It will be Evans’ first minutes of Super Rugby action this season after starring for Northland last season in the NPC.

Eli Oudenryn will wear the No.16 jersey for his first game in Super Rugby, having moved north from the Crusaders and Tasman over the offseason and earned an opportunity through his performances for the Blues development team.

Round 16 will also see Hoskins Sotutu take a step back to a reserve role, with Malachi Wrampling moving to No.8 and Torian Barnes coming in on the blindside flank.

It’s an otherwise familiar matchday 23 for Vern Cotter, who acknowledged his side could cement or surrender their standing of third on the Super Rugby Pacific table in Hamilton.

“Every week at this stage of the season carries significance, and this one is no different. Our focus is on ourselves this week and executing our game plan,” Cotter said.

“We know what’s on the line heading into Hamilton and we’re excited by the opportunity. The Chiefs are a quality side and playing them away is always a huge challenge.

“It’s great to welcome back players like Joshua Fusitu’a and Corey Evans after long injury layoffs. They’ve worked hard to get back, and they add real energy to the group.”

Team Form

Last 5 Games

36 - 32

42 - 12

21 - 31

42 - 22

22 - 17

24 - 47

36 - 20

19 - 45

36 - 33

47 - 40

4

Wins

3

1

Streak

2

23

Tries Scored

26

61

Points Difference

-3

1/5

First Try

1/5

1/5

First Points

2/5

4/5

Race To 10 Points

2/5

Blues team to play the Chiefs

1. Mason Tupaea (21)
2. James Mullan (14)
3. Marcel Renata (78)
4. Josh Beehre (37)
5. Sam Darry (46)
6. Torian Barnes (11)
7. Anton Segner (c) (51)
8. Malachi Wrampling (7)
9. Sam Nock (88)
10. Stephen Perofeta (79)
11. Caleb Clarke (86)
12. Pita Ahki (25)
13. Xavi Taele (18)
14. AJ Lam (71)
15. Zarn Sullivan (54)

Reserves

16. Eli Oudenryn (debut)
17. Joshua Fusitu’a (39)
18. Flyn Yates (3)
19. Laghlan McWhannell (29)
20. Hoskins Sotutu (89)
21. Finlay Christie (81)
22. Corey Evans (27)
23. Codemeru Vai (9)

Injury list

Ben Ake (ankle)
Beauden Barrett (quad)
Taufa Funaki (shoulder)
Jordan Lay (concussion)
Sam Matenga (neck)
Dalton Papali’i (jaw)
Bradley Slater (concussion)
Patrick Tuipulotu (neck)
James Cameron (legs, season)
Cameron Christie (knee, season)
Hemopo Cunningham (foot, season)